Gamers from Russia and Belarus are nonetheless permitted to compete on the tennis circuit, however should accomplish that below a impartial flag.
The Toronto Open, which will get underway on Monday, is a WTA 1000 occasion and one of many greatest laborious courtroom tournaments of the summer time.
“I needed to tell you that sadly I’ve to withdraw from the match in Toronto resulting from my visa not being permitted,” Azarenka stated. “It is actually disappointing. It’s extremely unhappy to overlook considered one of my favourite tournaments.
“I like to play in Canada with nice followers and a spot the place I made many pals over time. Good luck to everybody on the occasion.
“See you in Cincinnati,” she ended, referencing the Cincinnati Masters which begins on August 13.
Event organizers Tennis Canada stated in a press release: “Tennis Canada confirms that Victoria Azarenka has been unable to safe a visa in time to compete within the Nationwide Financial institution Open offered by Rogers.
“Tennis Canada has been working laborious on the applying with Vika and her group and have finished every thing we are able to to assist however sadly the processing turnaround time has proved too difficult. We want Vika all the perfect for the US hard-court season and hope to see her again in Canada subsequent yr.”
Azarenka is at the moment ranked twentieth on the planet and final week reached the quarterfinals of the Citi Open, shedding to China’s Wang Xiyu in straight units.
